Founded in 1891, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) serves more than 11,000 youth and teens in eight neighborhood Clubhouses and a summer camp in Mendocino. Dedicated to helping kids from disadvantaged circumstances, BGCSF provides a broad range of programs to inspire young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. As state financial support dwindles in the schools, the Clubs provide opportunities for at-risk youth to gain access to positive experiences that will set the stage for success throughout their lifetime. Kids can choose from a wide variety of programs and activities, from technology and leadership skills to gang-prevention and intervention to fine arts and athletics. BGCSF also offers access to health services, daily homework assistance and tutoring, as well as specialized programs for young girls and teens.

Our Mission

Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Philosophy

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) believes that young people reach their full potential when they have the access to opportunities, surrounded by an environment that promotes respect, innovation, education and fun. Our programs and committed staff engage youth in positive activities with peer supports that promote self-esteem.

Every child that participates in Club programs is provided with numerous opportunities and choices. Our staff help coach them to make good choices, to use good judgment and to take responsibility for the outcomes. BGCSF believes that the ability to make good choices leads to self-sufficiency for a lifetime.

Our philosophy. That's what makes the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco different than other youth development organizations. By offering a broad range of recreational, artistic and educational programs, supported by a philosophy that promotes self-esteem, children and teens develop a sense of competency, belonging, usefulness and influence. The skill that has most life-lasting effects is the ability to make good decisions.

BGCSF History and Milestones

· 1891 San Francisco Boys Clubs is founded.
· 1895 Columbia Park Boys Club opens its first location at 318 Seventh Street
   (which moved to its current site after the 1906 earthquake).
· 906 Columbia Park Boys Clubs joins 53 other Clubs to become
   The Boys Club Federation
· 931 Leased 250 acres in Mendocino County and began San Francisco
   Boys Club Summer Camp.
· 1931 Boys Club Federation of America becomes Boys Clubs of America.
· 1974 First girls program established in San Francisco
· 1985 San Francisco Boys Club changes its name to Boys & Girls Clubs.
· 1991 Boys Clubs of America changes its name to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
· 2001 San Francisco Boys & Girls Club and Columbia Park Boys & Girls Club
   merge forces to become Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

Awards

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is committed to program excellence. Our programs and Clubhouse members have consistently received awards for outstanding achievement. Recent accomplishments include*:
2002:
· Good Neighbor Award, Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative
· Program Excellence Award, "Mission Through the Eyes of Youth" - art exhibit
· Program Excellence Merit Award, DateSmart program
· National Fine Arts Contest (three winners)
· National Photography Contest winner
· Olympic Swim Team Member to compete in 2004 Olympics
2000:
· Outstanding Community Organization in the Diocese (San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties), presented by the Catholic Diocese
1999:
· National Marketing Award
1997:
· California Youth of the Year
· Program Excellence Award, Citizen & Leadership
· Program Excellence Award, Social Recreation
1996:
· Program Excellence Award, Technology
1995:
· Community Education Award for Alternative Education, presented by Mission Education Project

In addition, BGCSF has been recognized by Stanford University as one of three organizations nationally for most effective youth development programs.

BGCSF members have been awarded National Youth of the Year two times and been runner-up for the award two times.

10 percent of all art awards presented over the last ten years
by Boys & Girls Clubs of America have been awarded to BGCSF

*Unless specifically noted, these awards were presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Our Board

Larry Baer
Glenn Bauer
Dick Blackman
Martin Bohlen
Teresa Briggs
Curtis Burr
John Callander
Sam Coffey
David Cumming
John Dissmeyer
Bob Emery
Don Fisher
John Fisher
Tallentyre Fletcher

Rocky Fried
Gary Guittard
Harry Haigood
Phil Halperin
Alison Hawkins
Victor Hebert
Mimi Kingsley Andrew Livingston
Bob Maier
Keith Maillard
Gordon Marks
Andrew Matthes
Lynda Hutton
Larry Nibbi

Daniel Offit
Su-Moon Paik
Ellen Parsons
Sally Pofcher
Bob Rorick
Steve Strandberg
Joe Sweeney
Christina Tan
Laura Townsend
Peter Wardle
Ellyn Weisel
Gregory Wettersten
Ron Zeff

Contact Information

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco
Administrative Office
88 Kearny Street
12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 415.445.KIDS (5437)
Fax: 415.445.5435

To reach ...
... Program office: 415.445.5481
... Development office: 415.445.5413
... Marketing & Public Relations office: 415.445.5412
... Volunteer Office: 415.445.5482
... Office Manager: 415.445.5433
... Camp Office: 415.445.5477
... Finance Office: 415.445.5444
... Executive Office: 415.445.5401